Mayor LaToya Cantrell and representatives from the Office of Nighttime Economy and Preservation Hall will introduce the first Musician Loading Zone in the city on Tuesday, October 10. This initiative aims to address logistical challenges faced by local musicians when transporting their equipment to and from performance venues.

This development results from a change made by the New Orleans City Council on February 17, 2019. An amendment to Section 154-868 of the City Code allowed for the creation of “Musician Loading Zones,” similar to Passenger Zones. These loading zones will permit vehicles to park for up to 15 minutes, specifically for loading and unloading musical equipment before and after performances at venues holding a Mayoralty Permit.

The key individuals involved in the unveiling of the Musician Loading Zone include Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Howie Kaplan, Director of the Office of Nighttime Economy, Ben Jaffe, Owner of Preservation Hall, and Wendell Brunious, the Musical Director of Preservation Hall.

The unveiling ceremony for the zones will take place today, Tuesday, October 10, at 4:30 p.m. at Preservation Hall, located at 726 St. Peter St.

This step is expected to simplify the process for musicians navigating the city’s streets and parking challenges, ultimately contributing to preserving and supporting New Orleans’ musical heritage. The Musician Loading Zones are poised to become a valuable resource for the city’s artists and reflect New Orleans’ commitment to its musical traditions.